Besides watching players from different countries play together, and players from the same countries play against each other… I like how the IPL unearths or at least displays new talent from not only India but all around the world.
Richard Levi from NZ opened the innings with MI today and looks like a great striker of the ball! Just scored 50 off 35 balls.. Great to see SRT from the other end constantly talking to him through it.
David Warner got his fame through the IPL. playing under who else.. Sehwag.
Shane Watson is another one that was struggling to be a regular in the Aus team.. till he performed superbly in IPL under Warne.
And today we have Warner and Watson opening for Australia!
IPL's in your face constant advertising is definitely disgustingly annoying.
But on the flip side, they do provide extra coverage in terms of additional live on the field interviews with coaches, captains, owners, fielders, and even batsmen who just got out.
I thought I heard Scotty Styris mention NZ?
You're right, just checked on cricinfo. He's from SA.
Dammit! I got excited. NZ needs big hitters like him.
That is because he played an amazing inning against NZL which brought him in the news and then MI signed them. One inning changed it all but that was one amazing inning.
^Its been an interesting trend in the last few years at IPL. We actually have IPL talent scouts going around AUS, NZ, SA etc to find upcoming T20 talent. Perhaps sometimes they act too soon after just a few good innings. But it's not a bad bet. These guys are cheap and they will play any game the team wants them to play.. no conflicts with international commitments.
IF they shine in a few games..great.. if they dont.. whatever.. they were cheap anyway.
^Its been an interesting trend in the last few years at IPL. We actually have IPL talent scouts going around AUS, NZ, SA etc to find upcoming T20 talent. Perhaps sometimes they act too soon after just a few good innings. But it's not a bad bet. These guys are cheap and they will play any game the team wants them to play.. no conflicts with international commitments.
IF they shine in a few games..great.. if they dont.. whatever.. they were cheap anyway.
Its a win-win since the players get a chance to showcase their talents against international players and make a case for playing on their respective home teams.
Looks like IPL is on its way to meet ICL. But before this happen, it will be reduce to its actual size (not the hype).
This will stabilize the cricket in many ways, incl brains of 20 yr old over night millionarres.
My boys DD are looking good this year with Sehwag opening and KP and Mahela in the middle order. Irfan and Yadav are bowling well (so far) and Morkel is solid as always. But then again, a lot of teams look great on paper!
Here:
IPL